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Brown signs reading “Native Planting Area: Working to restore Missouri’s native prairies” have recently caught the attention of those visiting parks near Smithville Lake.

Short grass, such as fescue, and crops used to fill these spots. Now, the signs peak out of the tall, warm season grasses that blanket fields.

These areas are part of a rare yet increasingly popular trend. The Clay County Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites project, named the Clay County Grassland & Savanna Restoration Project, aims to convert 2,300 acres near the lake from lawn-like grass and crops to native prairie.

Those involved in the project consider it a positive all-around. It should reduce mowing costs, create a wildlife-friendly habitat and improve air and water quality.

“What we’re doing does fall into the ‘green’ category, and there is a push that way. But it is not very common for there to be projects of the same magnitude as this one,” said Paul Lowry, private lands specialist with the Missouri Department of Conservation office in Liberty.

The local project covers more ground than most in large part because the space — originally fescue grass and cropland — was well-suited for native prairies, while forest areas are not, Lowry said.

The brown signs have helped inform more people about the concept, he said.

“We’re getting more awareness out there about the use of natives and how nice they can look,” he said.

Jasen Ballenger, the county’s prairies, trails and wildlife manager, has spent a great deal of his time killing the previous grasses and crops — through chemicals and burns — and then planting the native grasses.

“Here on the left is just an idle area. It’s just fescue and cedar trees — it’s nothing,” Ballenger said from his truck, pointing to an area near the Bonebender Trail.

Less than 1 percent of native prairie remains in Missouri, he said. The loss of prairies and switch to fescue grass and crops began in the mid 1800s, he said, when the Europeans brought their ways here.

Ballenger perked up as his truck approached a field he’d planted with warm season grasses, such as bluestems and switch grass, and flowers, such as black-eyed Susans and partridge peas.

“This looks like what a prairie should look like,” he said. “It’s very wildlife friendly. You could see deer, quail, turkeys and doves in something like that.”

Clay County Grassland & Savanna Restoration Project

How it began: Local leaders, including Anita Gorman, Craig Porter and Steve Mowry, wanted to turn cropland and pastures near Smithville Lake back into native lands in an effort to improve water and air quality, wildlife habitats and aesthetics while reducing mowing costs.

What’s done: 300 acres have been converted into prairie land, consisting of about 30 different warm season grasses and forbs.

What’s left to do: Convert another 800 acres to prairie. Take degraded savanna areas and create 1,200 of savanna, which will include fire-tolerant trees, such as white oaks.

How it’s funded: The project received a 5-year, $125,000 Missouri Department of Conservation grant that will run through 2011. In 2012, the grant will be up for renewal.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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